Ventura County, CA · Daily edition
7 stories from Ventura County, in about three minutes.
Public Safety · Ventura County
A wildfire named Ranch Fire was first discovered at 2:01 p.m. on October 19, 2026, burning on private land in Ventura County, California. As of the article's publication, no containment information was available and the cause remained undetermined. The report is sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Public Safety
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a beach hazards statement Monday at 12:31 p.m., in effect until Friday at 3 a.m., covering Ventura County Beaches, the Malibu Coast, and Los Angeles. Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves from elevated surf of 3 to 6 feet are expected, with minor beach erosion and tidal overflows possible along south-facing beaches, especially near Malibu and Long Beach. The NWS warns of increased ocean drowning risk and advises residents to stay out of the water or remain near occupied lifeguard towers, and to avoid rock jetties.
Local Politics
The City of Ventura is hosting community meetings to inform residents about a proposed permanent Tree Protection Ordinance ahead of its October 27, 2026 consideration by the City Council. The ordinance would establish standards for tree preservation, removal, and replacement to protect Ventura's urban forest. Specific meeting dates, times, and locations were not provided in the announcement.
Education · Ventura County
The Ventura College Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2027–28 academic year, with a November 23 deadline for students in Paramedic and Career Education programs and a January 22, 2027 deadline for all other scholarships. Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled at Ventura College during the 2026–27 year and have completed or be on track to complete at least six units. The foundation awarded a record $1,037,741 through 537 scholarships last year, with awards distributed beginning August 1. On-campus and virtual application workshops run from September 23 through early January, and the foundation office is open Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
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Subscribe freeSocial Events · Ventura County
NAMBA Performing Arts Space in Ventura presents its 5th Annual Emerging Playwrights' Splash Festival, running Sept. 19 through Oct. 24 at 47 S. Oak St. The festival features eight award-winning productions selected from the Hollywood Fringe Festival, showcasing emerging playwrights and performers exploring culture, identity, history, and the human experience. This year's SPLASH Award for Excellence in Cultural Arts Performance goes to My Body As An Archive by Junru Wang, a Cirque du Soleil acrobatic artist combining movement, imagery, and autobiographical storytelling. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door; information is available at NambaArts.com or 805-628-9250.
Social Events · Ventura County
The Ventura Botanical Gardens is hosting "Nature's Spirits – Flight of Our Ancestors," a Day of the Dead-inspired mini exhibit running Sept. 15 through Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring hummingbird-themed art, calaveras gigantes, and autumn blooms inspired by Mayan mythology. Much of the artwork was created by garden volunteers, Ventura College art students, and children from the IDEA Center on Ventura's Westside. A special evening event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring traditional Mexican hot chocolate, a fortune teller in a hummingbird nest, and after-hours shopping; upper garden walkways will be closed during that event. General admission is $15, free for members and children accompanied by an adult.
Education · Ventura County
Cal State Channel Islands will host its free Dolphin Open House on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., welcoming prospective students and families considering enrollment for Fall 2027 and beyond. Visitors can tour campus facilities, attend faculty-led sessions in laboratories and classrooms, meet current students, and visit a Resource Fair at the Central Mall covering admissions, financial aid, and student support services. Guided tours of campus and student housing will be available, with sessions also offered in Spanish. Breakfast, lunch, dessert, and parking are provided at no cost. CSUCI is Ventura County's only public university.
